My guest on this episode, Dr. Matt Wagner, is someone who I know enjoys the outdoors as much as I do.

Dr. Wagner is the definitive expert on wildlife conservation, range land management, and the Texas laws and policies governing them. I could invite him on every episode of this show and I know that I’d never grow tired of hearing what he has to say.

Dr. Wagner spent 28 years with the Wildlife Division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, most recently as Deputy Director. He is an adjunct faculty member of the Biology Department at Texas State University, where he teaches Wildlife Law and Policy. He also works under contract as a project administer with the Wildlife Management Institute, which has supported game management, biological diversity, and ecology since its founding in 1911.

As if that is not enough, Dr. Wagner has extensive experience working with and advising private landowners such as me. And Dr. Wagner is a believer in the important role that privately owned land plays in the well-being of wildlife and wildlife habitat.

On this edition of RANCHCAST with LEM LEWIS, Dr. Wagner and I will discuss two big issues impacting wildlife conservation in Texas.  One is the the loss of connection between people and the rural lifestyle, and two, the distribution and allocation of water.

Because Dr. Wagner is so knowledgeable, he and I also explore the impact of exotic wildlife and the efforts to manage them. We talk about statewide land stewardship programs and we even review efforts to privatized white tailed deer. And finally Dr. Wagner and I discuss the subject of chronic wasting disease in Texas.

If you own a ranch, are thinking about buying a ranch, or simply love the ranching lifestyle, you're going to want to hear what Dr. Matt Wagner has to say.

Photo: Dr. Matt Wagner Interview Conducted: November 2016 Length: 47:29 @ 2017 The Ranch Broker. All Rights Reserved.